Islamic Intellectual Theology Lesson 24 The Appointed Leadership “NABOOWAT” Primary Source: ELAHIYAAT of Sh. Ja’far Subhani Part Three: Necessity of Prophet hood Page Edited: Dec. 2, BHD

Necessity of the Miracle for Prophet hood  Many claims can be accepted by the intellectual based on the trust and the truthful nature of the claimer. But when someone makes a very strange unnatural claim or supernatural claim such as the claim of the Prophet hood than such a person must provide a supernatural act which cannot be performed by any other human and is beyond the power of mankind in such a time. That super natural act which is beyond the capacity of a regular human is called a miracle, which verifies the claim of the person being a Prophet or connected to the super natural realm.  If a miracle is not presented or associated with the claim of Prophet hood then such a claim is deemed to be false.

The Miracle – Questions To Consider 1. The reality of the miracle and how can it be distinguished from non miraculous acts. What is the difference between a miracle and other supernatural acts such as magic or predictions? 2. Does it contradict the intellectual laws and concepts? 3. Who is the cause of its existence; God or the Prophet? 4. How do modern Muslims perceive the miracles of previous prophets? 5. Why should a miracle be a supporting evidence for a Prophet's claim? 6. Is the modern man deprived from the miracles?

Types of Supernatural Acts  Miracle (MU’JIZAH) which is associated with a claim of Prophet hood or IMAAMAT, or claim of divine appointment  An honoring phenomena (KARAMAH); this is not associated with a claim, it is a supernatural act which leads to honoring a person associated with such an act (KARAMAH), i.e. like someone pious who walked on water, like salaam the Persian's wonders.  Master Ladies Mariam [as] and Fatima [as], and the food descending from heaven (3:37)

2. Does it Contradict the Intellectual Laws and Concepts?  Does the miracle contradict logic or its principles, like 1+1=2? Some things cannot be black and white at the same time, same moment, same spot on same platform and still be called black and white together, because these are impossible things.  Example: Traveling fast can be done with the advancement of science and technology, but if it happens without such technology then it is a miracle; i.e. Asif son of Barkhiya who brought the throne of queen of Sheeba from Yemen to Palestine in a blink of an eye.  Example: Intellectually curing incurable diseases can be done with an advancement of medical sciences, but when Prophet Esa [as] does it in a time where such is impossible, then it is miracle.

Challenging and Not Against the Demand  A Prophet [as] challenges the people in his claim, and asks them to bring something like it, and they are defeated in their respond.  Therefore the medical professionals and the magicians who perform amazing wonders in treatment or in bringing an illusion are not considered miracles. Even if many cannot perform such an act any one can learn such knowledge and skills and perform it. They may become more perfect in it, so the challenge can be responded to and defeated.  Miracle does not go against the demand even if it happened and was supernatural, but in opposite of what was demanded; i.e. MOSAYLAMA the imposter when he claimed that he is a prophet and claimed that his spit increases the water level. When he spat in a well the well became dry, and when passed his hand on the heads of the children to give them blessings, their hair fell off and became bald.

Who is the Cause of its Existence, God or His Prophet?  It was said that a miracle is violation of the theory of causality, because everything in nature is based on causality.  None of the theologians claimed that the miracles happen without any cause. There is always a cause and they exist based on the theory of causality. Yes it may not be according to the causality observed by humans and their experiments, but indeed they exist based on the theory of causality. (ALLAMA TABATABAEE: expedited folding of the causes, instead of ages it takes seconds)

What is the Cause of its Existence? 1. God Himself, MOSABBIB UL ASBAAB [the causes of every cause], creator of causes, eliminator of causes, can make things happen supernaturally and skip all the natural laws. Such can be as in the Holy Qur’an He created challenging talk which no one can bring the likes of it. 2. Angels they perform the miracle and not the Prophet [as], that is also a possibility. 3. God creates material causes and puts His power in it so that it can perform the miracle. The Prophet has nothing to do except claim. This is a possibility without an evidence 4. But based on the evidences the Prophets [as] they performed it by themselves with the power given to them by God. He gives the power to the Prophets [as] so that they can perform the miracle by them selves with His permission. Regular pious human can have such power let alone the Prophets [as].

How do Modern Muslims Perceive the Miracles of Previous Prophets? 1. Muslims accept and believe miracles and considers them from the unseen. A miracle is a miracle as long as its existence is proven, no matter how strange it is. 2. Imperialistic Muslims do not believe in it and try to find materialistic justification or metaphorical interpretations for it in order to impress their materialistic peers who do not believe in things which does not fall under their imperialistic laws. Such people they do not deny the metaphysical such as JINN and the angels because they are Muslims, but at the same time they don’t want to talk about it and about the miracles in order to impress others who do not believe in a metaphysical existence. All that is said to prevent them selves from the accusations of suspicious people believing in things which cannot be proven by experiment.

Is Modern Man Deprived from Miracles?  That is a claim only, as there is a miracle for every nation and for every tribe, an eternal universal miracle, which is the Holy Qur’an. Since the day it was descended and until now it is still challenging the world to bring the likes of it.  On the contrary every one got astonished and memorized with it.  Another living miracle is the MOBAHILA or summoning the curse on the liar. ALLAMA TABATABAEE mentioned that the Muslims can use to MOBAHILA to confirm the concepts of faith and principles of belief and he invited the oppositions to do MOBAHILA with him. He said that he is ready for that. It has been indicated by Imam As-Sadiq [as] as well.

Difference Between Magic and Miracle  There are who perform acts wonder such as hypnotism, tricks, and magic. Why is a miracle different? 1. Wonderful acts are educational activities that require learning and training; i.e. it has its institutes and skilled teachers. Miracles are an act which does not have any knowledge back ground and institution. 2. Magic can be opposed and performed by many perhaps in a better way. 3. A miracle is associated with a challenging claim but not magic. 4. Magical acts are limited in there nature, but miracles have been in various forms; i.e. staff changing into serpent, splitting of the Red Sea, and creating a bird like creature. Most of these are suitable for the art famously practiced in that time.

5.A miracle has higher aims, where the magic aims at entertainment of the people, earning money, popularity and what ever is a material desire in general. But the miracle aims at a religion and invitation towards the spiritual and moral life, as the Prophets [as] invite for. 6.The differences in the those who perform miracles are men who have strived to teach, and maintain moral values in a community. As for the magicians then most of them are away from high moral values and ethics, and are mostly imperialistic and materialistic.